New Option for Dairy Margin Protection Program

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds dairy producers you can now enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers a new option. This option allows you to opt out of the program for 2018. In order to opt out, a producer should not sign up during the annual registration period. By opting out, you would not receive any MPP-Dairy benefits if payments are triggered for 2018. The decision to opt out would only be for 2018 and is not retroactive.

Enrollment ends on Dec. 15, 2017, for coverage in the calendar year 2018. USDA provides a web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the MPP-Dairy that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. It’s available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool.